Yahoo keeps opening in Chrome, even though you want to use something else. The fix depends on what sends you there—an address-bar search, a browser launch, or a new tab. Start with the matching setting below, then check extensions and unwanted software if the change won't stick.
Change Chrome’s default search engine
When address-bar searches go to Yahoo, start by checking whether Yahoo is your default search engine.
On a computer, open More > Settings > Search engine.
Under Search engine, select Change.
Select your preferred provider instead of Yahoo.
On Android, open More > Settings.
Under Basics, select Search engine.
Select the provider you want.
On iPhone or iPad, open More > Settings > Search engine.
Select your preferred provider.
Try an address-bar search. If Yahoo returns or the setting changes back, move to the extension checks below.
Stop Yahoo opening at startup or from Home
On desktop Chrome, open More > Settings > On startup.
Select Open the New Tab page to stop restoring a previous session that included Yahoo.
To keep a custom startup-page list instead, select Open a specific page or set of pages.
Open More beside the Yahoo entry.
Select Delete to remove it, or Edit to replace its address.
If Yahoo opens when you select Home, open More > Settings > Appearance > Show Home button.
Choose the New Tab page option or replace the custom Yahoo address with your preferred page.
On Android, open More > Settings > Advanced > Homepage.
Choose Chrome’s homepage or replace the custom page.
Match the setting to the trigger: startup and Home have separate controls, and Chrome on iPhone and iPad has no configurable homepage.
Remove extensions that bring Yahoo back
If your search choice won't stick or an unwanted page replaces new tabs, check desktop extensions. Open More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Turn off one suspect search, shopping, or new-tab extension.
Test an address-bar search. Open a new tab to check that too. Repeat these checks after disabling each suspect extension until you identify the cause.
For the unwanted extension, select Remove. Select Remove again to confirm. Then open More > Settings > Search engine > Change to select your preferred provider.
McAfee WebAdvisor’s Secure Search uses Yahoo; that alone does not establish malware. McAfee allows you to change the provider in your browser settings. If WebAdvisor keeps interfering, disable or remove it through More > Extensions > Manage extensions.
Clear unwanted shortcuts and block website pop-ups
Use these controls when Yahoo opens through a shortcut or a website pop-up. They address those specific triggers, so they won't stop an extension from repeatedly changing your search provider.
For a site-search shortcut, open More > Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search.
Change your default provider first if the unwanted entry is currently the default.
Open More beside the unwanted shortcut.
Select Delete or Deactivate. These controls apply to site-search shortcuts; deletion is not available for every built-in provider entry.
For a Yahoo tile on Chrome’s customizable Google New Tab page, sign in to your Google Account. This customization also requires Google as your default search engine.
Point to the Yahoo tile.
Open its More menu.
Select Remove. Removing the tile removes a shortcut, not an automatic redirect.
For website-triggered pop-ups on desktop, open More > Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Open More beside the offending allowed site.
Select Block.
On Android, open More > Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Turn off Pop-ups and redirects.
On iPhone or iPad, open More > Settings > Content settings > Block pop-ups.
Turn on Block pop-ups.
Remove software that restores unwanted settings
When a removed extension or corrected search setting keeps returning, check for an installed application that restores it.
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Select Uninstall for the unwanted application.
Complete its removal prompts.
On a Mac, open Finder > Applications.
Right-click the unwanted application.
Select Move to Trash.
Right-click Trash.
Select Empty Trash.
Correct Chrome’s search provider under More > Settings > Search engine > Change.
Correct any unwanted startup pages under More > Settings > On startup.
For persistent redirects on Windows with Microsoft Defender Antivirus available, open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
Select Full scan for a comprehensive scan.
Start the selected scan.
For persistent threats, save your work before an offline scan—the PC restarts during this process.
Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) under Scan options.
Start the selected scan.
Check Protection history afterward.
On Android, open the Google Play Store.
Tap your profile picture or initial.
Open Play Protect > Settings.
Turn on Scan apps with Play Protect. This protects against problematic apps; it does not change Chrome’s search provider.
Reset Chrome after removing the cause
A desktop Chrome reset restores affected browser settings and disables extensions.
Open More > Settings > Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
Review the reset’s effects: bookmarks and saved passwords remain, while search, startup, Home, pinned tabs, site data, and extensions are affected.
Select Reset settings to confirm.
Test an address-bar search before restoring extensions.
Re-enable only trusted extensions through More > Extensions > Manage extensions.
Check your profile and locked settings
If Yahoo survives a reset on Windows, macOS, or Linux, create a fresh profile through Profile > Add Chrome profile. Keep the original profile until you have preserved the data you need.
Test the new profile before signing in or restoring extensions. A fresh profile isolates profile-specific settings; it does not remove system malware or device policies.
If Yahoo returns after sign-in, review More > Settings > You and Google > your account name. Chrome supports saving extensions and settings to your Google Account, so checking them helps you investigate the recurrence. Remove unwanted extensions and correct settings on signed-in devices before restoring the same configuration.
For locked settings, check Chrome’s More menu for Managed by your organization. Ask the responsible administrator to correct enforced search, startup, or extension settings. Unexpected management on a personal computer also calls for administrator or repair assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Yahoo open when I sign in to my computer?
A startup application, Mac login item, or installed website app is a separate launch trigger. For a Chrome website app on Windows, macOS, or Linux, open chrome://apps. Right-click the relevant app, then deselect Launch at startup.
Where is Chrome’s Clean up computer tool?
Google retired the Chrome Cleanup Tool beginning with Chrome 111. There is no current Clean up computer scanner to run. Use extension removal, operating-system malware tools, and desktop Reset settings instead. Chrome’s desktop reset menu is not available as a documented reset method for Android or iPhone.
What reset option should I use on a Chromebook?
On a Chromebook with Safety reset available, select the time, then open Settings > System preferences. Under Reset, select Safety reset. Review the changes, then select Done. It disables extensions and resets Chrome settings while keeping local files, bookmarks, and saved passwords. Contact the administrator for a managed device with restricted controls.
Should I reinstall Chrome if Settings will not open?
Reinstalling is a repair option when Chrome’s settings repair fails, especially when Settings will not open. Close Chrome first. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Beside Google Chrome, open More and select Uninstall, then confirm. On Mac, move Google Chrome from Applications to Trash. Reinstall from Google’s official Chrome page using Download Chrome. Reusing the affected profile or leaving unwanted software installed preserves those potential causes.
